MASSOB leader in America

~ A KWENU exclusive ~

The national leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra Chief Ralph Uwazuruike arrived New Jersey on Saturday, April 14, 2001. Earlier on, two of his closest associates had arrived on separate flights. They are: Attorney Uche Okwukwu, national leader of Ikwerre Organization, and Prince Longinus Orjiakor, the MASSOB Coordinator of the Eastern States.

In an exclusive chat with KWENU, Chief Uwazuruike said he was in the United States to meet with Ndiigbo and to explain to them the activities of his organization. His maiden visit to the States, he had hoped to reach as many people in as many different places as possible. He explained that pressing matters would not allow him to spend more time in the United States, but he hoped to come back and visit as many more regions as possible.

In a mini reception hosted by Chief and Loolo Austin Egwuonwu of New Jersey, prominent Igbo leaders turned out to welcome Chief Uwazuruike. There were no formal discussions or details of the weeklong visit. KWENU gathered that Chief Uwazuruike and his associates will visit the United Nations and Atlanta, Georgia, principally to meet with Ndiigbo in southern USA and to pay homage to the civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Chief Austin Egwuonwu, Chairman of World Igbo Congress, told KWENU that no sacrifice was too much in pursuit of truth. He explained that media reports had not always reflected the true situation at home. It therefore became necessary for Ndiigbo abroad to hear from the proverbial horses mouth. Chairman of ENYIMBA, the pan-Igbo think tank, Dr. M. O. Ene, shared some published works with Chief Uwazuruike and briefed him on some issues of concern that the MASSOB leadership should address in its meeting with various Igbo groups..

Details of his itinerary -- which will be released soon -- include meeting with community leaders, a visit to the United Nations, a visit to Atlanta, GA. etc. For details, email Chairman Egwuonwu or call (973) 761-4088

Meanwhile, the World Igbo Congress and Igbo-USA, NJ are organizing a public reception for Chief Uwazuruike on Friday, April 20, 2001. Many people are expected from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, Philadelphia, Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, etc. Support is sought for the group through the Foundation for Igbo National Development [FIND] so they would continue its work peacefully and without violence. For further details, Ndiigbo are encouraged to contact the Chairman of World Igbo Congress directly or through their Congress Board reps throughout the country.

The importance of fiscal support cannot be overemphasized: Dr. Ene explained: "In Nigeria, the temptation to sell out or chicken out is real and great. Many people are for sale, and buyers abound. Only the popular and fiscal support of such groups as MASSOB will guarantee that the other sides of the story are told truthfully and with integrity. Unless we want to live in communist China, where the official line is the only story in town, we must always respect and support the expression of other views."

The President of Igbo-USA, NJ -- the umbrella association of Igbo organizations in New Jersey, Attorney Austin Ugo Uzodike, told KWENU that his cabinet and the community through it various representatives and heads solidly support the reception. He said that irrespective of people's views, it would afford the community the opportunity to meet and listen to Chief Uwazuruike and to ask him relevant questions.

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I have been on the phone all night and early this morning with the chairman of world Igbo congress who is hosting chief Ralph during his visit here in the U S. Chief Ralph will be at the United Nations this morning. I will be talking to him today after his speech to UN, He will also be travelling to Houston this afternoon so I intend to speak to him before he leave for Houston. I will keep you all posted with any development from him.

Thank you for sharing the information about chief Ralph visit with us. I am so proud of you brother Biafra, we need more people like you my brother not the likes of Ojo Maduekwe and Jim Nwobodo.

I visited with Chief Uwazuruike and Chief Egwuonwu this early afternoon as they were getting ready to be on their way to Houston, Texas. I'll meet with him and Chief Egwuonwu again for a prolonged chit chat.
My God! The man is cool, calm, confident, and a determined gentleman. Biafra Actualization is diligently on her way to victory.

On friday night, there'll be a party/gathering in his honor at Robert Treat Hotel, in Newark New Jersey. All well wishers and interested parties are welcome to hear his maiden speech on Biafra Actualization and other concerns.
It was a great honor interacting with him.

Did see how chrismatic and inteligent chief Ralph is. Nwannem Nwanyi Amanda doesn't this disproof that fallacy that Educated Igbos should be moderate or whatever they call Igbo sell out this day. Here is a man who is trained as a lwayer and very educate and articulate and yet, put himself in danger everyday, been harrassed and arrested by Obasanjo and his secret operatives everyday. yet this strong Igbo leader doesn't flinch. Like I told him today that I will follow him to the moon if he ask me to. in order to actualize Biafra, The reason the man is having all this followers is because he is a straight shooter unlike Ohanaeze who can not even make up their mind on issuing common communique of their gathering.

I am here in down under and you guys are enjoying and meeting with all this great people. As I am writing this email my hands are shaking with excitement....

You have all meet with Chief Ralph...chei!!

We have to arrange a proper confab. that will enable people like me to come up and meet with Chief Ralph Uwazurike and also enable all other comrades in Europe and other parts of US.

I feel left out in the action!!!

Today, when I read of what is happening amongst the Igbo’s at home and Diaspora, I can’t stop asking myself: What’s happening, and What’s going on? Are the new breed Biafrans about to accomplish the unfinished business in my LIFE time?

I am not a believer, but nonetheless, I sure will sing halleluiah.

While we are at it, I will add, that the circle will be completed for yours truly if efforts to built a Monument for our fallen comrades materialises. Just the thought of a place to go and ‘take a BOW’ for my friends, surely will be the present of the century for me. Indeed, my life will be complete.

I know this might sound strange, but fact is, I did not know (until the year 2000), that some of our veterans are languishing in the streets of Enugu as beggars. If some of us can support Organisations like the Red Cross etc, with the little we can, I cannot see why we can’t have a Fond we all can contribute to with the little we can afford, to help uplift the lives of our comrades.

After my digression, where I started out wondering if what’s happening is, that we are about finish up the unfinished business. The gist of my posting is just to say: Please, somebody whisper to the MASSOB boss, the uppermost in my list is a Monument and a veteran Fond. The rest will follow.

You've said it as it is. Those "moderate" sabo Igbos should either join in the fight for Biafra Actualization or get the hell out of the way for True Igbos with guts and gumption.

Brother Jude yours is a voice of wisdom, I will take it further an say to Obasanjo you are making a mistake in arresting and harassing Uwazuruike. I will use John the Baptist senario to discribe uwazuruike, I will use that to advise my people like John the Baptist advise the children of Israel. I will say to Obasanjo better deal with Uwazuruike now because those coming after Uwazuruike like you said may not see Ghandi as hero. They may not preach non violent.

What are you guys gonna do now. oh oh

You need to chill my man. Life is too short to be hyper about nothing. Where has the freedom of expression gone?

Numerous Igbo Organizations ( World Igbo Congress, Igbo USA, Ekwe Nche, PANDEM, AISANA, Anambra/Enugu, etc.), including the Ikwerre Group, came to honor Chief Uwazuruike.
I had the opportunity to meet our Igbo prolific writer/journalist, Rudolph Okonkwo. Folks, he's more handsome than his photo on Nigeriaworld, and sweeter than I thought. UmuIgbo, he promised me that he's no longer a "moderate Igbo". He demonstrated it thru his donation and address to Chief Uwazuruike and the audience.
Bravo to Mazi Uwazuruike and a heart welcome home to our Rudolph!

During the meeting, Chief Uwazuruike spoke at length on MASSOB agenda and activities, his harassing and murderous encounters with Nigerian govt agents, their failed attempts to bribe him to give up on MASSOB, MASSOB's coordination and solidarity with the Ikwerres, Ijaws, Ibibios, Efiks, Annangs, Ogonis, Ika Igbos, and other ethnic groups within the former Biafran/Eastern region. He highlighted the importance of our collective unity thru MASSOB, and assured that MASSOB is working closely and diligently with them. The only choice or option left for all the Easterners is to take up their cross and march for Biafra Actualization. When Actualized, the Presidency will be with the non-Igbos of Biafra, he revealed. He was met with a resounding applause.

One of his deputies, Prince, spoke about the integration of Niger Delta grassroots into MASSOB. He assured that they support MASSOB, her leadership and agenda, and are working for Biafra Actualization. The MASSOB lawyer, Uche Okwukwu, also spoke intermittently. He spoke extensively about the history of the embrace of western education by the major tribes of Nigeria. It revealed that Biafrans were late comers in that regard. Once they decided to invest in said education, they ably soared to the fore. He also touched on power plays and tossles in Nigeria by Hausa/Fulani cum Yoruba and their methods of collective agreement in ensuring their exclusive stranglehold on Biafra and her oil wealth. He exposed the Yoruba's stakes and benefits on this continued rape of Biafra. No sane person should delude themselves about the "southern solidarity" charade with the Yoruba.
He pointed out that its an open secret that where the Northerners stand is where the Yorubas stands. The lawyer iterated that any Igbo who cannot/will not join in the struggle for Biafra Actualization should do us all a great service by shutting the hail up and let the Doers and Go-getters do their jobs.

On the subject of politics, he made it known that MASSOB is not concerned about political activities at this stage. Rather, MASSOB is doing her Revolutionary activities. Once the revolutionary wind is at its highest momentum, any tree that refuses to bend to it, will be forced to break. That's for a fact.
He went further to stress the unity of all the Eastern ethnic groups. He said in actuality, they are all Igbos. Further yet, he advised that Ndigbo should unite among themselves, inspite of their differences in methods of achieving Biafra.

His meetings at the UN were successful. There, he encountered another Nigerian govt "money bag" bribery agents. Expectedly, he shunned them and put them to shame.
Biafra embassy is coming soon, folks! In Houston, Texas, he received a heart-warming welcome and support.
World Igbo Congress/Igbo USA has set up a MASSOB fund. According to Igbo USA chief whip, the Igbo population here in the US is so big that it will cost just ten dollars ($10.00) a year per individual as a contribution to MASSOB causes. It can't get any lower or cheaper than that. So Umuibe, O ruole n'omume!
An Igbo-owned newspaper here, has pledged to be the mouthpiece for MASSOB/Ndigbo both at home and here in diaspora. A lot of network activities has been planned and ready for execution. Other activities have taken off already and growing in leaps and bounds.

I chatted with Mazi Uwazuruike about our very own Biafranigeriaworld. He promised to visit us on a regular basis. From time to time, he would avail us with useful articles and other information beneficial to our forum. He left his e-mail address with me. True Biafrans with genuine opinions, suggestions, remarks, and concerns can contact him. As soon as I get the chance, I'll try to recopy for this board, some of the articles that Chief Uwazuruike gave to me.